Architectural Transition: Nicolai Ouroussoff Leaves the NY Times

Former Timeswoman Julle Iovine, writing in the blog of the Architect’s Newspaper (where she is executive editor), got hold of culture editor Jonathan Landman‘s internal memo announcing the departure, after seven years, of Nicolai Ouroussoff, the NY Times‘ architecture critic.

According to Landman’s memo, Ouroussoff plans “to write a book about the architectural and cultural history of the last 100 years.”

Ouroussoff will be remembered by CultureGrrl readers for manymemorablemissteps (scroll down), but most of all for his unhinged recommendation in 2008 that New York’s Museum of Arts & Design, newly reclad and refurbished by architect Brad Cloepfil, be knocked down at once. (Last I looked, MAD, deservedly, was still standing.)

But is there a successor? Where’s the Times’ venerable architecture critic, Ada Louise Huxtable, when they really need her? (Writing perspicaciously for the Wall Street Journal, as it happens.)

CultureGrrl

I’m a veteran cultural journalist and lecturer with many pieces in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and major art magazines. I've been a cultural contributor on New York Public Radio (WNYC and WQXR) and provided arts commentary on NPR [Read More …]